WHILE they’ve been hailed a miracle cure for obesity, weight loss jabs, like all medicines, don’t come without the potential for side effects.
And one of the most commonly reported ones after taking Mounjaro and Wegovy is constipation – affecting one in 10 users.
One of the most commonly reported side effects of fat jabs is constipation[/caption]
Health experts say the best way to make your stools softer and easier to pass is to make changes to what you eat.
The NHS recommends increasing your daily fibre intake and drinking plenty of fluids
But researchers at King’s College London have challenged this advice by creating the first ever evidence-based dietary guidelines which focus on specific foods, drinks and supplements.
Three foods they say are particularly helpful when it comes to alleviating chronic constipation are:
- Kiwifruits
- Rye bread
- High mineral-content waiter.
Each of these cost no more than £2, making them a cheap solution for painful symptoms.
The new guidelines also show taking psyllium fibre supplements, certain probiotic strains and magnesium oxide supplements can help to improve constipation.
In contrast, high-fibre diets and senna supplements (a type of laxative) were found to lack strong evidence of effectiveness.
The guidelines, jointly published in two international journals, the Journal of Human Nutrition & Dietetics and Neurogastroenterology & Motility, are endorsed by the British Dietetic Association (BDA) and aim to transform the way this common condition is managed by doctors, nurses and dietitians in clinical practice.
Constipation is a long-term condition that significantly impacts quality of life and places a considerable financial burden on both patients and healthcare systems.
Unlike previous guidelines, the new recommendations are based on numerous rigorous systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and applying the GRADE framework to assess the quality of the evidence.
A multidisciplinary panel of experts, including dietitians, and a nutritionist, gastroenterologist, gut physiologist, and GP, reviewed over 75 clinical trials to create 59 recommendation statements and identify 12 research priorities.
Dr Eirini Dimidi, Reader in Nutritional Sciences at King’s College London and lead author, said: “Chronic constipation can have a huge impact on someone’s day-to-day life.
“For the first time, we’ve provided direction on what dietary approaches could genuinely help, and which diet advice lacks evidence.
“Being able to improve this condition through dietary changes would allow people to self-manage their symptoms more and, hopefully, improve their quality of life.”
The recommendations also focus on constipation outcomes such as stool frequency, stool consistency, straining and quality of life, making them more practical for personalised care based on the specific symptoms each individual experiences.
Rye bread is one of the foods researchers recommend for constipation[/caption]
A clinician-friendly tool has also been developed to support the adoption of these guidelines in everyday practice across the world.
The evidence review revealed while some foods and supplements are effective, the overall quality of existing studies is low.
Most trials focused narrowly on single interventions rather than whole diet approaches, highlighting the urgent need for better nutrition research in constipation management.
Dr Dimidi added: “Eating a high fibre diet offers many benefits to overall health and has been a go-to recommendation for constipation.
“However, our guidelines found that there simply isn’t enough evidence to suggest it actually works in constipation specifically. Instead, our research reveals some new dietary strategies that could indeed help patients.
“At the same time, we urgently need more high-quality trials to strengthen the evidence on what works and what doesn’t.”
Professor Kevin Whelan, senior author and Professor of Dietetics at King’s College London, said: “This new guidance marks a promising step towards empowering health professionals and their patients to manage constipation through diet.
“This means that from now that people suffering from constipation across the world can now receive up-to-date advice based upon the best available evidence in order to improve their symptoms and wellbeing.
“With continued research, it holds real potential to drive lasting improvements in quality of life.”
What are the side effects of weight loss jabs?
Like any medication, weight loss jabs can have side effects.
Common side effects of injections such as Ozempic include:
Nausea: This is the most commonly reported side effect, especially when first starting the medication. It often decreases over time as your body adjusts.
Vomiting: Can occur, often in conjunction with nausea.
Diarrhea: Some people experience gastrointestinal upset.
Constipation: Some individuals may also experience constipation.
Stomach pain or discomfort: Some people may experience abdominal pain or discomfort.
Reduced appetite: This is often a desired effect for people using Ozempic for weight loss.
Indigestion: Can cause a feeling of bloating or discomfort after eating.
Serious side effects can also include:
Pancreatitis: In rare cases, Ozempic may increase the risk of inflammation of the pancreas, known as pancreatitis, which can cause severe stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Kidney problems: There have been reports of kidney issues, including kidney failure, though this is uncommon.
Thyroid tumors: There’s a potential increased risk of thyroid cancer, although this risk is based on animal studies. It is not confirmed in humans, but people with a history of thyroid cancer should avoid Ozempic.
Vision problems: Rapid changes in blood sugar levels may affect vision, and some people have reported blurry vision when taking Ozempic.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar): Especially if used with other medications like sulfonylureas or insulin.
